Islington PCT - Flu Pandemic Plans

The arrival and subsequent spread of swine flu throughout the U.K. has led to a successful working partnership between a Primary Care Trust and one of the UK’s leading supply chain consultancies.

THE LOGISTICS BUSINESS is a specialist consultancy, which usually works with ‘blue-chip’ companies in the retail and fast moving consumer goods sectors.  Companies in these sectors recognise the commercial advantages of efficient supply chain processes and hence ensure that they make use of the best possible advice.  This expertise recently proved transferable to the Health Care Sector when Islington PCT appointed THE LOGISTICS BUSINESS to develop the logistics planning tools and processes for the distribution of anti-viral drugs and personal protective equipment (PPE) to the anti-viral collection points, social care providers and even local prisons.

Through meetings with the PCT staff and a review of the existing emergency plans, consultants from THE LOGISTICS BUSINESS documented the process flows and quickly identified the critical requirements.  This enabled them to highlight potential logistics problems and recommended solutions for dealing with a potential rapid increase in demand.  In addition, stock -control processes were set up to enable the PCT to maintain accurate stock records and identify ideal re-order quantities.  According to Martin Machray, Head of Communications and Engagement at Islington, “The work of THE LOGISTICS BUSINESS was first class; they quickly understood what was required and helped our team put plans in place that we simply did not have the experience to do ourselves in such a short time scale.  I would certainly recommend THE LOGISTICS BUSINESS to other NHS organisations dealing with flu-pandemic logistics problems”.

THE LOGISTICS BUSINESS, a leading specialist supply chain and logistics consultancy, has experience in planning and developing supply chain, distribution and warehousing operations throughout the world. From supply chain and distribution strategy, to development of distribution operations, warehouse design and layout, as well as manufacturing logistics and IT systems design, its clients include many blue chip companies. We have also worked on government initiatives on sustainable transport and waste minimisation.For further information please call:Helen Morris, THE LOGISTICS BUSINESS on +44(0)1527 889 060, email helen.morris@logistics.co.uk